Between the Lines - Stylin' Granny Mama

Please read to the end of this post for a new series started by Katie at Katherine's Corners.com called Between the Lines.

Today's post is a typical day in the life of me. I work at a university bookstore as an assistant manager. The way we are able to dress for this job is anything from fancy to casual. I usually go for dressy casual as my job not only involves computer work and scheduling, but book slamming as well. Book slamming is the term I made up for unboxing and shelving textbooks. If you have any experience with textbooks you know they are often heavy and come in boxes sometimes covered in dirt and grease.

On this particular day I opted for a chambray shirt as a jacket worn open over a monochrome peach echo top and pants. The top is a shade lighter than the pants, but it still works. The scarf I purchased from The Jacket Society. All of their items are made right here in the USA. Be sure to check out their site. I bought two of their scarves and they are just beautiful. 

My pictures on my cheapy flip phone do not do justice to the intricate beauty of this simple scarf. The open weave and the subtle silver threads give it a shimmery appearance. I can't wait to wear it with other summer outfits.

I finished off my work outfit with my comfy gray Keds with silver bling. A perfect match with my shimmery scarf. Below you can shop some similar styles.

Shop the Look

Chambray Shirt - Kohl's - $19.99

Peach Tee - Kohl's - $8.99, Nordstrom - $26.00

Peach Echo Pants - Christopher and Banks - $59.95

Scarf - The Jacket Society - $19.00

Gray Sneakers - Kohl's - $49.99

This week in addition to my regular fashion post I wanted to introduce you to a ten week series started by Katie at Katherine's Corner.com. The series titled, Between the Lines will be featured every Tuesday and centers on bloggers over 50. Being over 50 and starting a blog has been challenging. Technology has never been easy for me. I much more enjoy the written word on a paper page than a digital image on a computer screen. However, I think learning and adapting are very important characteristics to have, especially as we age. How many times have we heard the phrase, "They are so set in their ways!" Well, I don't want to be accused of that, so I thought that blogging would not only be a way to learn and grow, but to force me to write more and dabble with the world of fashion. In addition to that I wanted to be a source of encouragement and inspiration to women of all ages. I hope you will join us and visit the bloggers that are featured each week. You might find a few you want to follow on a regular basis. If you do, just hit their subscribe button and you'll get emails every time they feature a new post. I'm very thankful to Katie for all her hard work putting this together! Just click on the image below to see this week's featured bloggers.

Today I also linked up with Jess from Elegantly Dressed and Stylish for Turning Heads Tuesday. Friday I linked up with Jo-Lynne Shane and Jennie from A Pocket Full of Polka Dots.

Spring Colors: Lilac Gray and Peach Echo

This is the final installment in my Spring Color series using the Pantone 2016 Spring color palette. I decided to get brave and do a bit of pattern mixing with this outfit. The open front cardigan is black with a lilac gray pattern. Seeing as I got this at a thrift store, I was excited that it had that color and matched the Pantone Lilac Gray perfectly.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Trumbull, Makeup by Rachel Christensen

The sleeveless blouse I got two years ago at J.C. Penney. The peach echo elephants are outlined with a lilac gray, bringing the two pieces together. The lilac gray bag, also from Penney's shines with gold chain on the handles, which also matches the gold buttons on the blouse.

I added a pair of black leggings, an orange/peach long necklace which I looped twice to make it shorter, and a pair of gray swede booties from the clearance rack at DSW.

The outfit is comfy, casual but dressy and the layers are light, making it a great combination for a spring day or a summer evening. It also might look great with a belt around the cardi and the blouse accentuating the waist for a different look.

Shop the Look (similar pieces):

Printed Open Front Cardi - Kohl's -$49.00; Macy's - $44.99

 Blouse - Kohl's - $24.99; Chico's - $65.00

Black Leggings - Kohl's - $38.00

Gray Booties - DSW - $119.95; $49.95

Bag - J.C.Penney - $59.40; Kohl's - $39.99

Necklace - Impressions Online Boutique - $24.00; Chico's - $49.00

Seeing as I am still new to this blogging game, I want to apologize if my selections do not do justice to the original outfit. Many of my clothes are bought from thrift stores and I try to find pieces that will give you the same look even though they are different. Also, I encourage you to find inspiration in my outfits, rather than copying a specific look. If you have certain stores you like to shop at, peruse their racks and online sights for similar items. Instead of a printed open front cardi, maybe you find a solid steel gray button up cardi that you love. The point is to find your fashion "real" look. That look that makes you feel confident and special. I am here to give you ideas, to inspire you to be beautiful and unique, not make you a carbon copy of me. Please don't do that, one of me is enough! Ha, ha.

Next week will be little different as my photographer/daughter is not always available to take my pics, so you might be getting a little lower quality photos, but my goal is the same, to encourage you to feel and dress like the actual woman you are. Until next time!

Today I am linking up with Jess at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish for Turning Heads Tuesday.

All Photos by Rebecca Trumbull, Makeup by Rachel Christensen